This project reimagines how people explore their city. Nomad learns what each person enjoys and offers a few meaningful suggestions rather than endless choices. The design focuses on clarity warmth and ease so users can step out and experience something new without the stress of planning.

Why Nomad

Traveling through a city should feel exciting and personal yet most people end up scrolling endlessly through generic lists of recommendations. Hidden gems are everywhere but not every place fits every traveller. Nomad rethinks exploration by learning from each user and guiding them toward places that feel meaningful and uniquely theirs.

In early research 68% of travellers said they feel overwhelmed when choosing where to go next. 4 out of 5 said they rely on the same familiar spots because searching takes too long. Nomad was created to close this gap by helping people discover places that match their taste without effort.

The Problem

People love discovering new spots but feel overwhelmed by too many options and lose time searching through long lists. Existing apps provide broad recommendations that feel impersonal and hard to connect with.

Our survey found that 3 out of 4 users want fewer choices but more personal relevance. 62% said they abandon searches if results are too long or too generic. Travelers want suggestions that match their mood and style without heavy planning.

Competitive Positioning Matrix

This matrix helped clarify where Nomad fits within the local discovery space. Tools like Yelp and AllTrails are built around efficiency and volume, serving people who already know what they are looking for. Airbnb Experiences offers curated activities, but is better suited for planned trips than everyday moments.

Nomad was designed for the in between. By focusing on personal and experience led discovery, the product helps people decide where to go without the overwhelm of long lists. This positioning shaped the way Nomad makes recommendations, keeps the interface simple, and responds to a user’s time and energy, turning everyday exploration into something that feels easy and intentional.

Who we designed for

Elias Turner

The Outdoor Weekender 31
Elias needs quick clear suggestions that get him outdoors fast with no extra effort. He often has short windows of free time and wants inspiration that helps him reset without planning.

Luna Morales

The Foodie Explorer 27
Luna needs simple personal picks that match her taste so each outing feels rewarding. She values warm inviting places and wants to avoid endless scrolling through reviews.

Maya Brooks

The Creative Wanderer 29
Maya needs gentle guidance toward meaningful discoveries she would not find on her own. She looks for unique creative corners and wants exploration to feel calm and intentional.

Noah Patel

The Planner of the Group 34
Noah needs reliable filtered information that reduces decision fatigue and works for all types of travelers. He wants suggestions he can trust when choosing for friends with different preferences.

Together these 4 personas represent the most common exploration styles we learned from over 40 user interviews and 100 digital survey responses. They helped shape the tone flow and structure of the product.

Primary needs and product opportunity

How Nomad helps

Nomad turns short windows of time into meaningful micro adventures. Screens guide users with curated picks based on mood and energy. Instead of overwhelming lists users get a handful of options that feel just right for that moment.

During prototyping 7 out of 8 testers said they made decisions faster with Nomad than with their usual apps. Most users described the flow as calm spacious and personal.

My Process

I explored traveler frustrations through user interviews mapped journeys and shaped each interaction around clarity and personality. Early sketches focused on reducing cognitive load and building trust.

Wireframes

Low fidelity wireframes simplified discovery by keeping the number of options small. High fidelity designs refined the warm visual style and introduced gentle color cues that guided mood based exploration.

Testing results

People made decisions faster with fewer choices.
81 percent of testers said the recommendations felt more personal than what they normally use.
Users preferred the friendly tone the simple flow and the feeling that the app understood their taste.

Final experience

Nomad creates a calm spacious discovery experience that celebrates personal taste. Every suggestion feels curated which helps people step into the world with confidence curiosity and ease.